[WEC] Toyota LMP1 Discussion

[kvenom]

Here is a clearer pic of the reshaped rear:

[TF110]

That pic from their latest tweet?

I agree that without hybrid or relevant technology, Toyota and Porsche would probably not be there. I think the ACO can accommodate it and still keep costs low. They can have a 'lightweight' manufacturer class alongside the 'alternative fuel' or 'relevant technology' manufacturer class.

[roderick]

Originally Posted by TF110

That pic from their latest tweet?

I agree that without hybrid or relevant technology, Toyota and Porsche would probably not be there. I think the ACO can accommodate it and still keep costs low. They can have a 'lightweight' manufacturer class alongside the 'alternative fuel' or 'relevant technology' manufacturer class.

That rear end looks like the latest one.
But the front end has changed drastically !
Maybe with LED headlight!?

[kobefly]

*** edited by me ***

[Japanese Samurai]

Yuji Kunimoto (and Kazuki Nakajima) will skip Fuji SGT official test (March 25,26).
(Schedule of SGT Fuji round is May 3-4.)
He must be a 3rd car driver of Toyota WEC team.
http://www.as-web.jp/supergt/99021?all

[J Jay]

Thanks for the spot JS, that would seem to be the case. There's not another good reason to skip the test that I can think of.

Although it does leave a question as to why Ryo Hirakawa has apparently been passed over when he did the season in LMP2 a la Tsugio Matsuda before his drive in The-Prototype-That-Shall-Not-Be-Named*. Maybe they have a longer term plan for Hirakawa, or it could just be Kunimoto being plain fast, as expected of the SF champion.

*Seriously, let's not let another discussion be ruined with the same circular arguments.

[godlameroso]

Here's a question:

Is it cheaper to have two hybrid systems, or active aero?

[roderick]

Originally Posted by J Jay

Thanks for the spot JS, that would seem to be the case. There's not another good reason to skip the test that I can think of.

Although it does leave a question as to why Ryo Hirakawa has apparently been passed over when he did the season in LMP2 a la Tsugio Matsuda before his drive in The-Prototype-That-Shall-Not-Be-Named*. Maybe they have a longer term plan for Hirakawa, or it could just be Kunimoto being plain fast, as expected of the SF champion.

*Seriously, let's not let another discussion be ruined with the same circular arguments.

As far as I know, hirakawa is definitely 3rd car driver.
The only question should be why the last driver is kunimoto .

Personally, having kunimoto to the 3rd car is waste of 3rd car.
He's English skill is too poor, not enough experience.
Could almost say the same thing for hirakawa but he is only a little better choice of the two...

I really hope kunimoto is there for the experience rather than 3rd car driver.

[TF110]

He did well enough to win the Super Formula title. And in testing this preseason has been faster than his teammate and in the top 5 for overall times. Hirakawa has lmp2 experience and has tested the Toyota plenty of times. I would guess Kunimoto has too. If both are in the car it could be plenty quick. I don't know if the language barrier is (still) an issue with all the Japanese staff in this team.

[chernaudi]

I'm surprised/not surprised that "language barriers" aren't a problem with TMG since they employ people of so many nationalities. Japanese, German, Dutch, British, and I'm probably missing a few. But in motorsport, like most industries, English seems to be a common working language, and TMG seem to be probably the biggest equal opportunity employer in motorsport. It seems that if you got the skills, they'll hire you. Not to mention that TMG's tentacles do reach out far and wide for mostly Japanese/German controlled company.

That's not to say that Audi when they were around, or Porsche discriminate, as they have quite a few foreign born personnel on their teams, but they seem to try and recruit locally, namely in Germany.

[Adam43]

The factory language is indeed English. They do communicate very well. What it does allow a working environment where lots of different backgrounds can come together all bringing different perspectives.

[TF110]

I remember the Ishiura situation- he dropping the reserve seat because of lower back issues- and that (language barrier) was brought up as the real reason because he doesn't have good english. I guess that wasn't actually the case.

[Flo aus N]

Originally Posted by TF110

I remember the Ishiura situation- he dropping the reserve seat because of lower back issues- and that (language barrier) was brought up as the real reason because he doesn't have good english. I guess that wasn't actually the case.

He was just too slow and the got sarrazin into play.

[kvenom]

Ummm... Lapierre returns for the 3rd car?

http://www.endurance-info.com/fr/nic...alpine-matmut/

[Acid09]

Cool if true, nice to see TMG give him a 2nd chance.